It is Sunday morning. I made it through my first week back working for my employer.
It’s been an interesting and busy week. In response to the great comments from Natalie Louise on my blog and to calm the rumblings in my own mind, I have written down my initial thoughts.
My first day back at work was rather strange.
Naturally I expected to forget passwords and the like (that’s pretty standard for even having a month off). What I wasn’t expecting was to forget how to actually do my job. The first indicator of how much I had actually forgotten (still trying to work out if forgotten is the correct word in this case) is the fact that when I got in the lift, I had to think about which button to push. Can’t remember what floor I work on? Not a great start!
The situation didn’t improve during day one. I felt like the new girl asking lots of questions. Walking around the office, I felt a sense of familiarity, combined with a feeling of complete disconnection.
Meanwhile the ‘writer’ inside my head kept asking me what I was doing there. I reminded my inner writer of my working holiday mantra.
The lovely part was the welcome I received from my friends and co-workers. They were pleased to see me and many were genuinely interested in hearing about my writing experiences and achievements.
Despite everyone telling me, ‘don’t worry everything will come back to you’ – by the end of day one I still had nothing but a lot more questions. Thankfully I have the person who was relieving in my position to turn to. She has now become the teacher. A series of emails and phone calls was quick to follow.
Five days down and I was starting to remember certain elements of my job. Just to be clear, I was working hard during my first week. I did get a lot done and continued to take pride in my work.
A couple of days in people are asking me if it feels like I never left. Despite my realisation of how quickly 6 months has flown by, it doesn’t feel that way. It does very much feel like I left. On some subconscious level, I can’t help wondering if my brain felt I was resigning when I left the office six months ago?
Despite the above my best day was Monday. Why? Because Monday, I came home and did another 4 hours of work – work for myself as a freelance writer and for my blog. The rest of the week did not go well in that regard. The days I was not being creative or writing, were the ones I struggled the most. The less writing I did the more frustrated and in turn tired I become.
I need a new work schedule for my current situation and workload. Time is more than ever my most precious commodity. My schedule needs to be practical and most importantly sustainable.
The good news is this week we have Wednesday off for a public holiday. A whole day writing and working from home. Hoorah!
If you have been in a similar situation, having a long break from work and then returning I would love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to add your comments below.
This post was written by...
Thea – who has written 225 posts on Write Change Grow.
Hi! Welcome to my blog. I'm a freelance writer and blogger. For more Write Change Grow goodness, sign up for my free newsletter. You can connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.
My name is Thea Easterby and I am a freelance writer and blogger. Join me on my journey to become a full time writer.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Unfortunately, the longest time I took off was for my wedding and honeymoon. I didn’t have quite the same reaction. However, I can relate to the latter part of your post.
Last September, I went from 60 hours per week to 30. That was a big adjustment. I did so to spend more time on my pottery. For months, I felt like I was living two lives. Every Monday, I had to remember what it was I did for a living. It was about 3 months before I felt my creative life and work life were coexisting peaceably.
It does get easier. I definitely suggest figuring out a way to carve out that creative time. I’ve never been happier since I did.
Good luck,
Laurie
Hi Lauire
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us here. I apologise for the delay in getting back to you.
It would be a big adjustment cutting your hours by half. I can understannd how it would have taken time to adjust to your new way of life. The important thing of course is that you took the leap to concentrate on your creative side. I applaud you for taking the step and I am very happy to hear that it worked out wonderfully for you.
Again thanks for your comments.
Cheers
Thea
Hey Thea ~ I have been dying to know how your first week went, and you are not going to believe this… for some reason I thought you lived in the US. Then I got to where you mention having Wednesday off and I’m thinking… hang on so do we… So i’ve gone over to the NING and found that you are in fact here in Brisbane where I am!!! I have no idea what made me think you were in the US.
Wow what a week you have had, as I’m reading I’m truly feeling your emotions coming through your words. I read a lot of blog posts and they are usually so clinical but you write with such emotion with such limited word usage, its a joy to read your work.
I truly hope you are working on your bigger goal to leave your job permanently because the world needs more talented writers like you, living their passion and sharing it with us. So refreshing to read you blog.
On another note, I left my JOB about 3 years ago now at WorkCover Qld (high paying job) to go on maternity leave with every intention on going back, but while I was at home I realised there was no way I could bring myself to walk through those doors again. So off I went head down, butt up, to get where I am now and I NEVER went back. This is why I can relate to you in a sense, because I truly don’t know what I would have done or how I would have dealt with it if I was forced some how to have to go back.
PS sorry for the loooong reply!!
Hi Nat
So happy to see you here again!! Don’t apologise for the long reply, I loved it. I do need to apologise for the delay in getting back to you though I do have a good reason at least. I have been off with my Mum celebrating her 70th birthday. Lots of family, fun and food!
It was great to know that you liked the personal feel of the post for my first week back at work. Sometimes I worry about being too personal, so wonderful comments likes yours let me know I am on the right track. I am so pleased that you find my work a joy to read. As a writer they have to be some of the best words to ever hear!!! Thank you so much.
I really enjoyed reading your story about leaving work. I found it very inspiring and it fills me with hope for the future. I admire you for working hard and sticking to your guns. Three years and you are still going strong. Well done!!
Funny that you should mention WorkCover was your previous employer. I actually worked in the Adelaide Street office but it was many years ago now, back when it was called Workers Compensation. Many moons ago but still it made me smile realising you worked there as well.
Yes I am a Brisbane girl, I think its the dot com that makes it look like it might be a US blog. Just wondering would you like to catch up for coffee one day?
Cheers
Thea